Siddende kvindefigur i profil til venstre 1743 - 1809

This drawing shows a seated woman in profile, made by Nicolai Abildgaard. Her pose, with her hands supporting her chin, immediately evokes a sense of melancholy and contemplation. This motif of a thoughtful, seated figure has deep roots in antiquity, echoing figures of philosophers or muses found in classical art. Consider, for instance, the image of the seated Hermes. This motif transcends time and reappears throughout history, often symbolizing intellectual or emotional depth. The gesture of supporting the chin, a seemingly simple act, carries a weight of human experience. It suggests introspection, perhaps even a confrontation with one's inner self. This gesture echoes across centuries, appearing in various guises from depictions of biblical figures in sorrow to modern portraits of individuals lost in thought. The image invites us to consider the cyclical nature of human emotion, forever resurfacing in art.